No, I think the general reaction was one of universal condemnation, it wasn't just the ABC Kremlin blowing it all out of proportion. It became a large Twitter trend in its own right and lots of people were talking about it - any wonder, it was a really dreadfully patronising thing to say. After the debacle of releasing his biography a few weeks ago I think this latest gaffe would have to put Hockey in serious doubt as Treasurer - I think Tony needs to consider whether someone who dominates the headlines for the wrong reasons like that should have a place on the front-bench.

They need to manage the message better - perhaps announce an interim mini-budget? The things they pick to run with at the moment are abysmal. They constantly get stuck on the back foot with one problem or another; whenever Tony fronts the media lately it's always to apologise for something or defend the actions of a minister... even he looks sick and tired of it.

Incidentally, the Herald-Sun yesterday had a splendid puff-piece about Julie Bishop and what a great all-round compassionate human being she is, did anyone else see that?